SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city has long been identified with horses. Now the National Museum of Dance is hoping residents and visitors alike will embrace another symbol of the area's history: the pointe shoe.

The museum has announced a new public art project intended to raise its profile and highlight the city's connection to dance specifically and the arts in general.

The 5-foot-tall fiberglass sculptures are slated to be unveiled this spring and will be scattered around town, much like the life-size horse sculptures that were created in 2002 and 2007 for "Horses — Saratoga Style'' or the outsize Dutch clogs that appeared on Albany streets last year.

Some of the horses can still been seen at such spots as the parking lot of Stewart's at the corner of Broadway and Circular streets.

"It's another great way to encourage local artists," said Sarah Hall Weaver, assistant director of the museum, of the upcoming exhibit.

Michele Riggi, museum board president, saw this as a new way of celebrating Saratoga's diverse cultural offerings, Weaver said.

The museum has been working out the details for several months, Weaver said, including gathering artists who want to embellish the shoes.

The 24 artists needed for the creative side of the project have been selected, and now the museum needs to find enough sponsors to underwrite the endeavor.

After the sponsors have signed on, they will be paired with an artist to talk about the design on their shoe. When the shoes are ready for public display, the sponsors can either put the sculptures in front of their business or other locations in the city, according to Weaver.

While Weaver would not divulge the names of the artists or sponsors who have been enlisted so far, she said the artists are locally based and their work ranges from mosaic and metal design to lifelike paintings and abstract visuals.

The artists will receive their shoes in February and will have until May to complete them. All will be unveiled at a Dance Museum event on May 31.

"The ultimate goal is to promote the museum," said Weaver.

Funds raised will go toward preserving the museum's building and allow the museum to continue to bring arts to the community through its exhibits and programs.